08.02.2026 13:30
President Erdoğan stated, "Our family institution is under threat. Almost every phone has become a casino," following which Ziraat Bank, Halkbank, and Vakıfbank took the expected step. The three public banks removed tabs related to money transfers to gambling sites through mobile banking channels. As part of the fight against gambling, it was reported that the credit scores of customers identified with these transactions would be lowered, and their loan applications would not be accepted.
Following President Erdoğan's warning that "Our family institution is under threat. Almost every phone has become a casino," VakıfBank, Halkbank, and Ziraat Bankası took action. The public banks removed tabs that allowed money transfers to gambling sites, especially in mobile banking.
TO BE LABELED AS "GAMBLING ADDICT"
It was noted that individuals identified as transferring money to gambling sites would be considered "gambling addicts," and their credit scores would be lowered, increasing the likelihood of negative outcomes for their loan applications.
PUBLIC BANKS TOOK ACTION
After President Erdoğan emphasized that the fight against gambling addiction could not be conducted solely by security forces, and that media, financial institutions, and all segments of society must take responsibility, public banks took action.
"GAMBLING" TABS REMOVED
It was stated that the application aimed at restricting access to gambling sites operating within the legal framework, as well as illegal gambling, was implemented as part of the "prevention in the financial system," one of the seven priority areas of the Action Plan for Combating Illegal Betting, Gambling, and Games of Chance in the Virtual Environment. In this context, the "Gambling" tab, which facilitated money transfers to gambling sites in the payment lists of banks, was removed from the mobile banking applications of three public banks.
It was reported that unlimited money transfers to gambling sites could be made through the relevant tab in mobile banking applications, but this opportunity ended with the decision made by public banks. The application continues in private banks with a transaction fee of 15.75 lira, while higher transaction fees are applied for standard money transfers from person to person.
CREDIT SCORES WILL BE LOWERED
Individuals identified as transferring money to gambling sites will be evaluated by banks within the scope of gambling addiction. It was stated that these individuals' credit scores would be lowered, and the rate of loan applications being rejected would increase, while the purposes of credit usage would be considered gambling under "reasonable suspicion," and they would be added to the blacklist.
COST OF 40 BILLION DOLLARS
According to a study by Yeşilay, the annual cost of gambling to the Turkish economy is around 40 billion dollars. Data from Yeşilay Counseling Centers (YEDAM) shows that 34% of applications are due to gambling addiction. It was found that 75% of applicants had people who gamble in their circle of friends. The average age of starting gambling was measured at 21.41, with sports betting being the most preferred type of gambling (65%), followed by casino games. It was recorded that 86.5% of clients applying to YEDAM due to gambling addiction have a high school education or higher.
Source: Yeni Şafak